Next parliamentary election under a mixed electoral system

* That is in our manifesto, it has to be implemented – Rajitha

February 10, 2015, 9:52 pm

by Zacki Jabbar

The government yesterday said that the next parliamentary election scheduled to be held in June this year would be conducted under a system which was a cross between the first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems.

Asked if the next general election would be conducted under the present District System, if the Constitution could not be amended in time, Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne replied " No , it will be held under a mixture of the First Past the Post and PR system. That is is our manifesto. The people elected the Maithripala Sirisena/Ranil Wickremesinghe administration based on its 100-day work programme pledge. So, all political parties should join hands to fulfil their expectations."

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said recently that Parliament would be dissolved on April 23 and a general election held in June.

Senaratne, emphasised that in keeping with their manifesto executive powers that could be transferred to the legislature without a referendum would be vested in the legislature prior to April 23. That would include making the executive President answerable to Parliament and the Judiciary, he said.